5. Promoting Australian Plants

5.1 Interpretation and Information Services

Aim: To encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and value Australian plants while enjoying their visit to the Gardens.

Background

The Gardens provide opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to learn about and enjoy Australia’s flora through information and interpretive programs.

The Visitor Centre is the prime point of contact for visitors to the Gardens and staff are available there to answer visitors’ questions about the Gardens. A shop, occupied and operated under a licence granted by the Director of National Parks, also forms part of the Centre. Although surveys show that around 40 per cent of visitors make use of the Visitor Centre, the proportion would be higher if the Centre was better integrated into the main pedestrian flow patterns into the Gardens proper and would improve the revenue potential of the shop (see Chapter 8).

The Visitor Centre also provides a venue for exhibitions covering a wide range of topics such as vegetation types, plant groups, animal-plant interactions, human uses of plants, conservation and botanical art. Where appropriate, these are linked with outdoor activities in the Gardens and supported with printed material and digital media. The exhibitions are also made available, usually in a modified form, to regional botanic gardens or other suitable venues for exhibition.

The CPBR manages the Public Reference Herbarium which is currently located in the Visitor Centre. Visitors and those studying the regional flora are encouraged to use this resource to identify their own plant specimens or collections. Visitors can also leave plant specimens to be identified by the Gardens scientific staff (refer also to Section 4.2).

Leaflets are provided on a range of aspects of the Gardens and Australian plants, including a general guide, self-guided walks, plant groups, facts and figures, memorials and bibliographies. Donations, through an honour system, are requested to cover costs of the information leaflets.

Interpretive signs and descriptive labels along major walking paths supplement the plant identification labels in the Gardens. These signs contain information about the plants and their place in the natural ecosystem or use in past and present human cultures.

The Friends Volunteer Guides have become a significant addition to the information and interpretation programs, providing a positive experience for both the guides and those participating in the tours.

Policies

The Visitor Centre will be open to visitors and operated by staff on all days that the Gardens is open. The Visitor Centre will be maintained as an inviting and attractive place for visitors with staff available to answer enquires and direct visitors to plants or places of interest (see also Section 8.2).
Exhibitions on a wide range of topics related to Australian plants and the environment will be displayed in the Visitor Centre.
Interpretive information about the plants and the environment will continue to be strategically placed around the Gardens.
Volunteer Guides will be encouraged to maintain an active service, providing a human face to the Gardens’ interpretive program.

Management Actions

Visitor Centre

Exhibitions will be prepared by the Gardens or borrowed from other institutions, and will be changed several times each year. A range of different types of exhibitions will be programmed, focusing on the broad theme of Australian plants and the environment, and designed to appeal to a variety of tastes.
Maps and interpretive information leaflets focusing on various plant groups and their cultivation will be produced and distributed from the Visitor Centre. In particular a new visitor guide will be produced and there will be a review of leaflet structure. The public will continue to be encouraged to make donations to cover the cost of producing leaflets.
The Public Reference Herbarium will be maintained. Its use by the public will be encouraged and facilities such as reference books, computer access to the Web and interactive digital plant identification keys will be provided. A review of the operation of this Herbarium will be conducted to ensure the resource meets public expectations and can be adequately used by them.

See Section 8.2 for development proposals in relation to the Visitor Centre.

Outdoor Interpretation and Orientation

A sign manual will be prepared to promote greater consistency in the style of interpretive and orientation signs.
A plan will be developed outlining priority interpretive messages for various audiences and methods to convey them.
Signs describing the basic theme for a garden bed will be placed in strategic locations around the Gardens. These will match the style of the directional signs and replace the old signs.
In conjunction with redevelopment of plant displays and paths (refer also to Section 8.3), priority will be given to improving visitor orientation methods along the main path, which may include signs, path distance markers, and landmarks (including artworks).
A series of secondary thematic loops from the primary walk will be defined and interpreted. These may include themes on Tasmanian flora, Sydney region flora, Myrtaceae (paperbarks, teatrees, lilly pillies) and Proteaceae (banksias, grevilleas, waratahs). (refer also to Section 8.3).
Environmental monitoring stations will be considered as part of the interpretation of site micro-climatic conditions.

Volunteer Guided Tours

A Volunteer Guide program will be supported and encouraged as part of the interpretive strategy, with the overall aim of providing a high quality daily tour service. Training programs will be held from time to time when necessary.
Staff will pursue opportunities for including volunteers in a broad range of Garden’s programs.

5.2 Education

Aims:

a) To provide programs and resources for educational institutions, their staff and students; and for the public.

b) To assist people to learn about Australian plants and the environment and to develop skills and interests in horticulture.

Background

The Gardens’ education service prepares and provides learning materials and training to teachers wishing to use the Gardens as a teaching resource. The formal education program is aimed mainly at primary and secondary students. As a result, it is broad-reaching across the curriculum, but has a focus on botany, horticulture and environmental education. There is strong emphasis on cultural studies of the uses of native plants by indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Education assistants (called Explainers) are recruited and trained to help deliver the program. They are employed on a needs basis to lead groups in educational activities at the Gardens and assist with other education activities.

The Gardens has strong links with local tertiary institutions and encourages their use of its facilities. The ANBG also cooperates with groups such as the University of the Third Age in providing facilities for senior citizens to pursue educational programs. As part of this broad educational program, the Banks Centre provides community education programs including horticulture, special education and programs for seniors.

Work experience placements are also provided for secondary and tertiary students and others within various sections of the organisation.

Policies

The educational facilities, programs and resources of the Gardens will be designed for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and will be publicised to encourage people, particularly those in educational institutions, to make use of them.
The educational programs of the Gardens will operate with a cross curriculum approach, with a focus on the biology and horticulture of Australian plants and the natural environment. Special emphasis will be placed on the uses of native plants by indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and on understanding the importance of Australia’s biodiversity and the need to protect it.
The Gardens will encourage teachers to bring students to the Gardens rather than provide living plant material to schools.
The Gardens will consult with relevant Aboriginal people in the development of indigenous education programs.
Charges will apply for some programs to assist with the provision of consumable materials and resources (refer to Appendix 6).

Management Actions

General Programs

Kits and information packages will be produced on a range of topics to meet the needs of teachers and current curricula, and to encourage sound conservation and environmental practices.
Activities for students at the Gardens will involve both indoor and outdoor activities, with emphasis on the use of self-guided ‘Discover’ activities on various themes.
For local and regional schools, emphasis will be placed on professional development for teachers to enable them to become more confident in effectively using the Gardens’ facilities, requiring less staff and Explainer contact with groups.
A limited number of work experience and vocational training placements will be accepted in various areas of the Gardens each year.
Strong links will be established with CSIRO’s Green Machine and Discovery Centre and other relevant education programs to provide teachers and students with complementary packages of biological programs on Black Mountain.
The Gardens will incorporate information technology and other practical solutions and investigate the establishment of a multimedia initiative through sponsorship, to further develop the education program. This will focus on environmental activities for students and the wider community with the aim of increasing understanding and commitment to the environment.
Tertiary level programs will be developed on request, using the available expertise of the Gardens and tailored to the needs of the tertiary institution.
The Australian National Herbarium will continue to offer a two-month summer internship to students in the life sciences. The internship will enable students to undertake training in the operation and management of a scientific botanical collecting institution in return for a considerable input of volunteer labour (refer also to Section 4.4).
Various areas of the Gardens will provide work experience placements from tertiary institutions in consultation with those institutions.

Community Education

The Gardens will continue to present programs and activities to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week (in consultation with relevant Aboriginals).
The Australian Science Festival, Wattle Day and other celebratory events will continue to be the focus of some education programs.
The Gardens will continue to offer facilities to work in partnership with adult community organisations such as the University of the Third Age and Painting with Parkinsons.
Opportunities to develop new community partnerships will be actively investigated, with a focus on training programs for Volunteer Guides, Staff Development and the Community.
The Gardens will present a range of community education programs focusing on Australian native plants - their horticulture, biology and use; and biodiversity and conservation.

Special Education

Programs at the Banks Centre that cater for people with disabilities will, where practicable, be integrated with other educational and recreational activities being undertaken in the Gardens. Adults and children from non-English speaking backgrounds will be catered for.

Explainers

An education assistance program, called the Explainers, will form part of the Education Service programs. Recruitment and training will be conducted as required.

5.3 The Gardens Library

Aim: To support the mission of the Gardens by the provision of timely and high quality information services.

Background

The Gardens Library is an integral part of the Gardens, developing with the Gardens under various management arrangements of the last forty years. The Library is currently managed as a branch of the Environment Australia Library and shares its catalogue, which is accessible through the Web, with the Environment Australia Library.

The Library provides services to staff and volunteers of the Gardens, and its resources are also available to related institutions and members of the public. The Library collections include books, journals, maps and multi-media materials.

An archival collection including published and unpublished material relating to the history and activities of the Gardens is held in the Library, as is a collection of rare books and special editions. The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) publications are held as a discrete collection.

Well-established networks for loans and exchange of information operate with the CSIRO Black Mountain Library, together with libraries of other major Australian botanic gardens, and through membership of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries and the Environment Librarians Network.

The Library participates in the Gardens Volunteer program, accepting and assisting volunteers as part of the management program.

Policies

Management policies and procedures of the Gardens Library will be developed in accordance with those of the main Environment Australia Library.
The Gardens Library will be maintained and managed at the Gardens site, with the collection reflecting the thematic focus of the living and herbarium collections, the conservation and horticulture of Australian plants, and education about biodiversity and the Australian environment.
Library services will be available to Gardens staff and associates such as CPBR staff, student interns, Friends of the Gardens, volunteer guides and Explainers. Arrangements may be made to provide access for others such as researchers, students, staff from related institutions and the general public.
The Library will accept suitable donations and may accept material under government tax incentive schemes.

Management Actions

Access to the Library and Library Services

The Library will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm, with access for non-Gardens associates by appointment or prior arrangement.
The Library catalogue and other Library resources will be available to the general public through the Web.
Some restrictions on loans will apply for certain categories of Library materials and Library clients. For example, rare books are not available for loan.

Library Services

Library services to clients will be provided in a timely and efficient manner and the library collections and services will be promoted to clients. For example, the Library will take advantage of electronic information systems and the Library website will continue to be developed.
Cooperative links with other institutions will be maintained and utilised, including the Australian inter-library loan network and links with CSIRO and major Australian botanic gardens libraries and environmental libraries.

Collection Management

The collections will be housed to ensure material is readily available for clients while also being preserved in optimal conditions with adequate space provisions. For example, special conservation measures will be used for certain collections where required.
The Disaster Management and Recovery Plan will be further developed and implemented in conjunction with the Herbarium.

5.4 Photograph Management

Aim: To further develop the collection of photographs of Australian plants and their habitats to promote Australian plants, their conservation and cultural values.

Background

The Gardens has an active policy of building a collection of photographs of all Australian plants. Photographs are taken by staff and are sought from a range of photographers throughout Australia.

Photographs showing the development of the Gardens, horticultural practices, examples of landscape design and other images used for educational purposes or historical records supplement the collection. Data from the photographs are linked with those of the herbarium and living collections through the Gardens computer database.

Original photographs are not released from the collection but duplicates or digital images are supplied to publishers and loaned for lectures or similar purposes. Access to the collection is granted to individuals and organisations to promote interest in our native flora and, where the Commonwealth’s copyright is administered by the Gardens, the Gardens licenses publishers to reproduce photographs from the collection. There is a charge for this service (refer to Appendix 6).

The Web is now the prime mechanism for disseminating the scope of the collection to prospective users. Descriptions of all photographs are accessible through the Web and low-resolution images are gradually being made available for viewing.

Policies

The curation of the photographic collection will be continued and enhanced and the photographs will be stored under the most appropriate archival conditions for their day-to-day management.
The Gardens will continue to act as custodian of copyright for photographs taken by staff in the course of their duties, or for copyright of photographs donated to or purchased by the Gardens.
The data associated with photographs will continue to be transferred to the Gardens’ computer database and associated electronic image storage technology will be implemented.
The Gardens will license publishers to reproduce images and will provide duplicates or digital images of photographs for educational and promotional purposes.
Charges will apply in certain instances for costs associated with licences, handling and duplication of photos for reproduction (refer to Appendix 6).
Charges apply for the capturing of images of the Gardens and its plants, and for filming in the Gardens, for commercial purposes (refer to Appendix 6). Charges may be waived or discounted if these activities assist in promoting the Gardens’ stated mission.

Management Actions

Promotion of the Collection

The use of the collection by publishers from both the private and public sector will be encouraged. The best promotion for the collection is a photo credit acknowledging the Gardens alongside photographs published in a range of books and magazines.
Images will be stored on Kodak Photo CD or a similar medium and then transferred to the Gardens website allowing international promotion of the collection.
Students will be encouraged to visit the collection on-line and become aware of its scope and availability.

Sources for Photographs for the Collection

Staff will be encouraged to photograph plants in the Gardens and in the field and place them in the collection.
The wider botanical community will be encouraged through promotional materials, direct approaches and awareness raising activities to donate or bequeath reliably identified, high quality photographs to the collection.
The Gardens will promote the use of the government’s tax incentive schemes to encourage suitable donations to the collection and facilitate this process.

Commercial Access to the Collection

(refer also to Appendix 6)

A charge will apply for use of photographs published from the collection. Electronic transmission of licensed images through the Web will be implemented when practicable.
Duplicate slides may be purchased for educational purposes. The purchase price does not include the right to reproduce the slides or publish the photographs.

Public Access to the Collection

The transfer of images to the Gardens’ website will continue as a means of making the collection accessible to the public.
Access to the physical collection may be permitted by appointment.
The Gardens will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a new shopfront to provide more direct public access to the photographic collection and, if feasible and resources permit, establish and implement it.

Scientific Access to the Collection

Photographs associated with, and linked to, herbarium specimens in the Australian National Herbarium and the living collections will be progressively incorporated into the photograph collection.
Photographs from the collection will be used to illustrate interactive CD keys and other multi-media products being produced by the Australian scientific community, and the Gardens will seek to become an active partner in their production.
Botanical sites on the Web may be permitted to make links to photographs on the Gardens website.

5.5 Recreation

Aim: To encourage visitor use that is consistent with the educational and horticultural values of botanic gardens.

Background

For many visitors recreation is an important part of their visit to the Gardens. Enjoyment of the site fosters positive community attitudes toward botanic gardens and Australian plants and motivates visitors to learn from the setting and make use of the Gardens botanical and educational resources.

The Gardens organises a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including musical performances and theatre, as well as particular activities for the young. These programs endeavour to meet the needs of people with a wide range of ages and abilities. Holiday programs for children using games or making creatures out of seeds and fruits, for example often link or merge with more formalised educational programs. Catering for community interests such as art and craft, entertainment and exercise form part of planning suitable recreational experiences for visitors to the Gardens’ site.

The Gardens Bookshop and Café provide services for visitors (see also Chapter 9) to enhance the pleasure of their visit and reinforce the experience with a souvenir or literature. Marketing these facilities is also an important part of attracting visitors to the Gardens. A range of other visitor services including private functions (particularly weddings) and hire of facilities is part of the Gardens’ function and helps support the institution and its programs through revenue enhancement. Activities which do not interfere with the enjoyment of other visitors to the Gardens are encouraged.

The EPBC Act (s.354(1)(f)) prohibits commercial actions in Commonwealth reserves except in accordance with a management plan. The EPBC Regulations contain provisions that may be relevant to the carrying on of recreational and associated activities in the Gardens for example r.12.39 prohibits collection of money or goods as gifts from the public. Recreational activities that are prohibited by the Regulations may be carried out under a permit issued by the Director of National Parks, or in accordance with a management plan.

Policies

Recreational activities consistent with the mission and objectives of the Gardens will be promoted to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy botanic gardens.
A program of musical and similar entertainments which appeals to a wide cross-section of the community will be implemented.
The Gardens visitors will be encouraged to use the Café and Bookshop, and these facilities will be maintained to a high standard through the contributions of licensees and the Gardens.
Designated venue spaces will be available for hire for appropriate private functions, where these are in keeping with the organisation’s vision and do not impede enjoyment of the Gardens by other patrons (refer to Appendix 6).
Other charges may be payable for use of the Gardens for recreational purposes (refer to Appendix 6).
The Friends of the Gardens may, in accordance with prior written approval given by the Director of National Parks, conduct recreational activities on a commercial basis (by charging a fee) or collect donations in connection with recreational activities, without a permit issued under the Regulations,

Management Actions

Recreational classes related to Australian plants and the natural environment will be conducted by ANBG staff and other parties.
Programs for people with disabilities or special needs will be integrated with activities for the wider community to provide access for all and special account will be taken of the needs of the elderly.
The Gardens will work closely with the Friends in the development of recreational programs such as musical entertainment.
Holiday programs for children will be organised from time to time. People with special expertise may contracted to present school holiday programs at the Gardens.
The Gardens will establish innovative and enjoyable facilities to cater for children’s play, with an emphasis on plant biodiversity themes. Community input together with that of suitable design and ‘play’ consultants will be sought to assist in determining the nature of these facilities, to ensure they will appeal to younger children and to meet relevant safety standards (refer also to Section 8.2).
Where necessary and considered appropriate by the Director of National Parks in accordance with this Plan, permits may be issued for recreational activities.

5.6 Marketing the Gardens through Advertising and Promotion

Aim: To increase appropriate use of the Gardens by the community through promotional activities.

Background

Strategies aimed at raising public awareness of Australia’s flora and the unique nature of the site have been implemented to increase visitor numbers. An annual program of paid advertising is undertaken. The Gardens also contributes to a variety of publications, including local newspapers, gardening journals, specialist periodicals, industry newsletters, radio and television advertisements. The content promotes the Gardens in general, and any special events and programs. Information displays have been used to illustrate Gardens activities at local events such as Floriade and Canberra Festival, and at other venues interstate.

The Gardens regularly participates in activities, such as local and interstate promotions undertaken by the National Capital Authority and Canberra Events and Tourism Corporation. It also works cooperatively with other attractions and neighbours such as Canberra Nature Park, in developing and promoting joint programs, such as the Black Mountain Summit Walking Trail.

Promotional videos have been produced for national distribution to television stations throughout Australia and permanent displays have been positioned in prominent Canberra tourist attractions.

The Gardens has expanded its marketing base by participating as an official event in such programs as the National Science Festival and Floriade. Promotional activities associated with these and other local events have included radio quiz programs with Gardens-related questions and the provision of Gardens’ products or services as prizes and give-aways. With the cooperation of the Friends of the Gardens, a poster featuring bush foods was developed and has proved a popular promotional item.

The Gardens’ continued membership in the National Capital Attractions Association places it in an excellent position to maintain strategic partnerships with other key institutions concerned with encouraging tourism to the region.

In recent years, efforts have been made to promote the Gardens through concerts and special events. Generous media sponsorship has assisted in promoting Gardens programs on television and radio.

Interviews and editorials in local and national radio programs, and in newspapers, have generated interest in the Gardens and Australia’s plants. Media releases issued by the Gardens have been well received.

Policies

Promotional activities, including paid advertising, will be undertaken to encourage visitation to the Gardens and to raise awareness of Australian plants.
Cooperation will continue with other visitor attractions, industry partners and tourism authorities in Canberra and interstate.
Media and industry sponsorship will be sought whenever appropriate.
Events will be arranged to focus public attention on seasonal attractions.

Management Actions

Advertising

A program of paid advertising will be developed for print and electronic media with both local and national target audiences.
Joint advertising with the shop and cafe and the Gardens will be pursued.
The Gardens may use opportunities for free community advertising.
Media releases and editorials will reflect the activities and progress of the ANBG, and opportunities for interviews with ANBG staff will be used to promote the Gardens.
Gardens staff will be encouraged to take up suitable opportunities to act as guest speakers at local events.
A new travelling display will be completed to promote the Gardens locally and interstate.
The Friends of the Gardens will be encouraged to join with the Gardens in joint promotional projects and to use their newsletter to promote Gardens’ activities.
Volunteer Guides will be recruited, trained and supported to continue their role as a major promotional resource for the Gardens (see also section 5.1).

5.7 Community Outreach

Aim: To maintain active links and involvement with the community at a local, national and international level.

Background

The Gardens recognises that there is a need for strong community involvement in its activities and that many people wish to actively support its work by contributing their time and effort. It has actively and successfully encouraged the development of a support group, the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Inc., which was established in 1990 and incorporated in 1992.

The Friends is a non-profit community-based organisation whose goals are to:

liaise closely with Gardens management to help bring about mutual advantage;
increase community awareness of the scientific, horticultural, conservation, educational, cultural and recreational functions of the gardens;
conduct activities for the benefit of the members;
raise and expend funds to enhance the continuing development of the Gardens; and
maintain a high standard of Friends service.

The Gardens continues to support the Friends in a number of their endeavours. The Friends receive promotional space in the Visitor Centre, office space, a lounge for their members, space for the Craft Group, a propagation area for the Growing Friends, and support for the production of their newsletter. The Director of the Gardens and the liaison officer are ex-officio members of the Friends Council. The Friends also invite the staff of the Gardens to elect one committee member to represent the views of staff on the Council.

Volunteers play a valuable role in the work of the Gardens. The most obvious role of volunteers from a visitor’s point of view is the Volunteer Guides Service, which provides regular tours of the Gardens. Volunteers also contribute a substantial amount of their time to many of the Herbarium and Seedbank activities. Volunteers have also produced the interpretive handout sheet In Flower this Week in printed form since 1985 and as a website since 1993. Recognition of the work of volunteers during the International Year of Volunteers is planned through the hosting of the National Volunteer Guides Conference and the release of the daisy Helichrysum ’Helping Hand’ in conjunction with Volunteering Australia to celebrate volunteer achievement.

In May 1992, volunteers working at the Gardens came under the umbrella of the Commonwealth Employees’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, which provides for workers compensation insurance in the event of any mishap in the workplace.

For those people who cannot get to the Gardens due to distance or lack of mobility, the Gardens provides an active website. This site carries a wide range of information about the botany and horticulture of Australian plants, photographs of Australia’s flora and a weekly update of what is in flower. About 6000 pages are accessed from the Gardens website each day from more than 100 countries.

Policies

The Gardens will foster the community support group called the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
The Gardens will foster and manage a volunteer work program to cater for members of the community who wish to participate in a range of unpaid work in the Gardens.
The Gardens will provide a website to encourage a wider national and international community to take an interest in Australian plants, the Gardens and its aims and activities.
The Gardens website will provide links to other web sites which have as their prime focus topics relating to Australian plants or botanic gardens, or to institutions or sites of relevance to the research role of the Gardens or the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research.

Management Actions

Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Inc

The Gardens will continue to foster good relations with the Friends, to provide office and lounge space, to support the production of their newsletter and to cooperate in the staging of special events. It will work closely with the Friends to increase and broaden their membership, both locally and nationally.
The Gardens will continue to offer space for sub-groups of the Friends where possible. A plant propagation area will also be provided.
Where necessary and considered appropriate by the Director of National Parks in accordance with this Plan, permits may be issued to the Friends to undertake commercial activities and collect donations on the site (refer also to Section 5.5 in relation to commercial activities and collection of donations in connection with approved recreational activities). The Director of National Parks may also grant licences or enter into contracts with the Friends for the conduct of appropriate commercial activities.
The Gardens will provide a liaison officer to facilitate cooperative arrangements between the Friends and Gardens management, and encourage staff involvement in Friends activities.
The Director of National Parks will continue to offer the Friends free entry and parking at the Gardens and offer their members concession rates for the hiring of facilities.
The Gardens will inform the Friends of projects and activities for which they can provide positive input in financial and other ways.
The Gardens will provide space on its Web server for the Friends to manage a Web page to promote their activities.

Volunteers

Volunteers will be encouraged to contribute their time and labour to the Gardens and staff will be trained to supervise and provide guidance to volunteers in an appropriate manner. Care will be taken in choosing tasks suitable for volunteers.
Volunteers will be registered and records will be kept of the times that each volunteer is working in the Gardens to satisfy the requirements of the workers compensation regulations.
The Volunteer Guides will continue to be supported and training programs will be continued to maintain guides’ expertise and confidence in dealing with visitors. New training programs will be arranged when necessary.
The Herbarium will continue to encourage volunteer workers while providing on-the-job training in various tasks related to the scientific study of Australian plants (refer also to Section 4.5).

World Wide Web (The Web)

The Gardens will maintain a prominent presence on the Web.
The Web will be used to promote the Gardens and as an educational tool, disseminating information about Australian plants and their cultural significance to the public. In addition, it will be used to make the various national botanical data-sets for which the Gardens has custodianship freely available to the public.
The Gardens may make space available on its Web server for the Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens and other bodies of relevance to Australian botany or botanic gardens.

Updated 15 December, 2004 , webmaster, ANBG (anbg-info@anbg.gov.au)